Quote Fun & Learning

We've taken a few educational boat trips over the years but yours was by far the best all-around experience. The highlight had to be the breadth of sea life we pulled up and got a chance to investigate, interact with and, of course, learn about."

– Rockland County, NY, camp director

IMAX Library

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Life Sciences

“Africa: The Serengeti”

"There is a place on Earth where it is still the morning of life and the great herds still run free." That's the booming first line by narrator James Earl Jones, and it sets the tone for a fantastic journey across the Serengeti Plain. Join a herd of wildebeest on their grueling annual migration, past lions, enormous crocodiles and other dangers. Although the film contains scenes of predation, it's a story of how life on the Serengeti is more powerful than death.

"Alaska: Spirit of the Wild" *

Thrill to seeing Mt. McKinley, bears, elk, wolves and other treasures of Alaska on the only screen big enough to contain them all in this grand tour of our biggest state. A 1998 Academy Award nominee for Best Short-Subject Documentary, the film chronicles the Alaskan wilderness over the course of one year, from the brutal dangers of winter to the short renewal of summer. Run wild with moose, bears, beavers, whales, sea lions, eagles, polar bears, musk oxen and more.

"Alps"

An exciting adventure film for all ages, “The Alps” follows climber John Harlin III on his ascent of the Eiger, one of the world’s most celebrated peaks but also one that’s notorious among climbers for its unpredictable weather and the crumbly stone that can cause deadly showers of falling rock. This dramatic human story unfolds in the midst of some of nature’s most awe-inspiring scenery. Audiences learn about the geology of the Alps from Swiss professor Bruno Messerli and the science of snow and avalanches from scientist Christine Pielmeier.

“Beavers” *

It's the biggest dam movie you'll ever see! This teacher-favorite follows a pair of beavers as they build a dam and raise a family in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Through breathtaking underwater photography, audiences travel inside the lodge for a rare look at these charming and industrious creatures.

"Born to Be Wild" *

An inspiring story of love, dedication and the remarkable bond between humans and animals, “Born to Be Wild” follows orphaned orangutans and elephants, and the extraordinary people who rescue and raise them – saving endangered species one life at a time. This heartwarming adventure transports audiences into the lush rain forests of Borneo with world-renowned primatologist Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas, and across the rugged Kenyan savannah with celebrated elephant authority Dame Daphne Sheldrick, as they and their teams rescue, rehabilitate and return these incredible animals back to the wild. Narrated by Morgan Freeman. Dove Foundation approved for all ages.

“Coral Reef Adventure” *

Voyage to coral reefs in the South Pacific to explore their remarkable contribution to life on Earth – but also the imminent dangers they face. Includes the efforts of renowned ocean advocate Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of the pioneering oceanographer Jacques Cousteau. Narrated by actor Liam Neeson, with music by Crosby, Stills & Nash.

“Deep Sea”

Plunge into the oceans to encounter some of the planet’s most unique, dangerous and colorful creatures, including wolf eels, manta rays, ocean sunfish, a huge species of squid that vibrates colors, several odd relatives of sea stars and a camouflaged frogfish “with a fishing pole on his forehead.”Audiences go face-to-face with these underwater inhabitants – well, face-to-face at least with the animals that have faces – to witness their peculiar and amazing adaptations and behaviors. Narrated by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet.

“Dolphins” *

Join scientists, including Connecticut native Dr. Kathleen Dudzinski, as they study everyone’s favorite marine mammal in this Academy Award-nominated film. “Dolphins” goes beyond the romanticized images of water-park performances and TV’s “Flipper” to show how scientists are slowly gaining an understanding into these creatures’ complex world. Dudzinski, a native of Meriden, CT, studies dolphin communication with a unique "underwater video/audio array." “Dolphins” introduces audiences to other scientists as well, including Dudzinski’s mentor, Dr. Bernd Wursig, and their research into dolphin behavior and physiology. And the film explores the special bond between naturalist Dean Bernal and JoJo, a rare lone dolphin in the Turks & Caicos Islands.

“The Living Sea” *

Another teacher-favorite, this Academy Award nominee celebrates the "world ocean" – its beauty, diversity and importance to life on Earth – and explores our relationship with this complex and fragile environment. Narrated by Meryl Streep with music by Sting.

“Journey to the South Pacific”

Narrated by Academy Award-winner Cate Blanchett, “Journey to the South Pacific” will take audiences on a breathtaking IMAX adventure to the lush tropical islands of remote West Papua, where life flourishes above and below the sea.

Join Jawi, a young island boy, as he leads a journey of discovery to this magical place where we encounter whale sharks, sea turtles, manta rays and other iconic creatures of the sea. Home to more than 2,000 species of sea life, this exotic locale features the most diverse marine ecosystem on Earth.

“Mysteries of the Great Lakes”

“Mysteries of the Great Lakes” follows the painstaking efforts of scientists working to reintroduce the lake sturgeon – once the dominant species of the Great Lakes – to the ecosystem. Audiences also are treated to soaring and breath-taking coastal scenery, haunting sunken ships and – powered by the Aquarium’s 10,000-watt, proprietary, surround-sound system – the thundering spectacle of the Great Lakes’ most famous link, Niagara Falls. Perhaps most importantly, the film explains how the Great Lakes remain a critical source of fresh water for 40 million people – one of every seven Americans and one of every three Canadians.

Teachers: "Mysteries of the Great Lakes" Educator's Guides for Grades 1-3 (primary), 4-6 (junior) & 7-8 (intermediate) are available for downloading at this website: click here.

“Search for the Great Sharks”

“Search for the Great Sharks” follows shark experts Dr. Eugenie Clark and Rodney Fox on a round-the-globe expedition for close encounters with some of the world's largest sharks – large as life on the giant IMAX screen. Swim with a whale shark, witness the birth of a baby shark and see if Fox survives when dropped into great white-infested waters while inside a clear diving tube.

"Sharks"

Dive among a variety of shark species to confirm that sharks are as awesome as we think, but also learn how the oceans' top predators are horribly misunderstood and paying a deadly price for their reputation. Presented by Jean-Michel Cousteau, “Sharks” is a family-friendly film with simple concepts, no scenes of predation and a sea turtle that “narrates” (voiced by veteran British actor Geoffrey Bateman). Audiences also encounter manta rays, an enormous school of sardines, sea lions, jellyfish, dolphins and other creatures.

"The Last Reef: Cities Beneath the Sea"

Celebrate one of the ocean’s most important – but endangered – habitats in this passionate film, which emphasizes our connection with – and responsibilities to – the complex ocean world. “The Last Reef” offers a simple introduction to coral reefs, including their need for sunlight, how they form and how they provide sustenance and shelter for an incredible diversity of marine life. The film suggests that reef systems are like cities beneath the sea. Maritime Aquarium audiences will recognize scenes from New York City as the film compares thriving reefs to bustling Manhattan. But the film also explains why reefs are vanishing from Earth five times faster than rain forests.

“Tropical Rainforest”

Narrated by Geoffrey Holden and filmed in Australia, Costa Rica, French Guiana, and Malaysia, "Tropical Rainforest" is a global film which examines the long evolution of the rain forest, the rapid and recent destruction of this habitat as a consequence of human intervention, and the scientific efforts to understand the tropical rain forests even as they disappear. The film captures the incredible diversity of species that have evolved throughout the long history of tropical biology – insects, gaudy frogs, exotic plants and flowers. Species have formed interdependent relationships, all of which are dependent on the trees. With the loss of the forests, thousands of these species will become extinct before they can be discovered.

“Whales” *

See humpbacks, right whales, blue whales and orcas as large as life on the giant IMAX screen, as the film tags along with scientists studying whale songs, migrations and feeding behaviors. Box Office Magazine said, “The footage is quite amazing: whales breaching the water with their monstrous tails, hunting in groups (they assemble in a circle to trap fish), swimming in their deep-water habitats, and migrating to Alaska from Hawaii (where a female humpback teaches her newborn calf survival skills).” Narrated by actor Patrick Stewart.

“Wild Ocean: Where Africa Meets the Sea”

Plunge in off South Africa's Hibiscus Coast into the middle of what may be the world's largest feeding frenzy: an annual migration of millions of sardines ... and the predators who prey on them, including sharks, dolphins, penguins, fur seals and even whales. The film also explores the importance of this migration to people in villages along the shore, and how businesses, communities and governments in South Africa are working together to protect this historic and invaluable resource for years to come.